Completed Week 16 post treatment

Something very significant happened this week when I had an appointment with my dermatologist. He has seen me four times since I was diagnosed and went on treatment. He was the most knowledgeable and supportive and in my heart I believe that someone he knows very well has been diagnosed and has gone through treatment for Hep C. He was uncanny regarding his knowledge and he was always extremely interested in my progress throughout my tx.

Of course, he knew that I would be completed my tx by the time I went for this appointment and he made a comment that really helped me with my uncertainty at this time about treating.

He indicated that I made the right decision to treat this virus. I was shocked he said that and I thanked him for saying that as it helped me reinforce my decision to treat when that support comes from a doctor. He added...”If I had Hep C I would have made the exact same decision as you (to treat)”.

You cannot even imagine the relief I had when he said that to me. At 48 weeks into treatment I did have my days that I doubted as it was so exhausting and gruelling for me. At the end of tx and these last few weeks I also had some wavering doubt because I felt as if I had the cr@p kicked out of me and I were left on the side of the road isolated and alone with my uncertainties. I figure it’s the survival stage of tx causing these worries.

I always use my famous quote ...”I accept I have Hep C, but I cannot accept that my lifestyle contributed to it...” He indicated that I probably picked it up through medical endoscopic procedures or dental.” I don’t want to come off as a snob when I refer to this lifestyle issue I have, because I’m not. I just resent the health department/medical profession being so anxious to pigeon hole me into a reason for having Hep C. They want to make it something I did to myself. It does NOT matter how you or me were infected with Hep C. We have it why try to put us into a lifestyle slot. It just pisses me off!

A friend of mine casually said to me one day that her doctor shockingly admitted that it’s a wonder we all aren’t walking around with Hepatitis C. Interesting comment from a doc, don’t you think?

The joint pain can be restrictive on some days so I pop a Tylenol. It’s a strange thing this joint pain. I like to think that it’s the heinous drugs purging from my body. I wonder if it’s a withdrawal thing.

Energy is slowly returning, but some days are on and many days are off. I push myself to get myself back to where I was prior to tx.

Completed Week 13/Working On week 14 Post Tx

Doing pretty well now that I am 13/14 weeks past treatment. I still have issues with sore joints, espeically my hips and knees to a point of hobbling around when I get up from a sitting position or going upstairs. OUCH! YELP! All my joints ache and I do have a struggle opening things (jars, cookie bags :), treats :) as my wrists and hands are weak.

Some days I am filled with "pi$$ and vinegar" doing housework only to crash by the late afternoon to spend my evenings like a blob watching television. Other days I do moderate normal stuff, but I have done this long enough and I know I need a more structured rehabilitaiton after being dormant so long.

Exercise isn't even an option for me as I find that I'm doing so much trying to get the house back to a cleaner environment that it exhausts me. I am unsure if I should seek physiotherapy, however, knowing my doc he'd have to tell them I just completed 72 weeks of anti-viral treatment for Hepatitis. Living in Smallville that is not an option for me.

Thursday, May 7, was the first day I had an enlightenment that my memory was improving. I did a two step thing by taking stuff to the laundry out back and wanted tin foil from the pantry on the way back. I actually stopped by the pantry door and remembered the tin foil on the way back to the kitchen. Prior to this I'd go do the laundry job and not remember the tin foil at all for a while. I actually stayed on task and completed what I was doing. It was a hopeful feeling that I was actually going to get my memory back. It might not sound like a huge thing, but it is...as I was hopeless. This tells me that the riba I was taking is starting to really purge from my system. The interferon is supposed to be gone in eight weeks following the ending of tx, but the riba stays in the systems for months. I believe this to be true as many sides are still lingering to a degree. They aren't as intense, but some days the fatigue hits me as if I ran into a brick wall.

I think my hair is improving.

Week 13 Post Treatment

I am having so much trouble with this blog these days. I cannot copy and paste.